Vannin' Home Forums Dodge Troubleshooting (Dodge) Need help fast. '77 van won't start

I was going to drive the van today but upon getting in I couldn't start the van up. The engine didn't rotate at all. Battery tested good. Tapped the solenoid, checked the starter relay all to no avail. I get absolutely no rotation at all. I suspect wiring. What do you think? Any insight appreciated.

Don't remember what it did except I know it wouldn't start. You have what is called a ballast resister on the firewall under the hood. If it goes bad (Which they are known to do) you will have a no start situation.....it's just been 35 years since it happened to me and I don't remember if it turned over or not.

Starlord, I was going to say the same thing. That happened to me.....Won't do anything. They are prone to go bad. Very cheap....I replaced it and bought a spare.

Isn't the ballast resistor a part of the ignition system?

When I meant by no rotation, I meant the engine doesn't turn over. At all. Did a few tests. The lights don't dim when I turn the key over to start. I think neutral switch. I tried starting in all gears to no avail.

I figured out how to use a remote switch and hooked the starter relay up between batt and solenoid. No change.

I'm going to clean the ammeter wires, ignition switch, and posts later today.

Rap the starter with a hammer a couple of times......take a booster cable from the battery to the block and see if a broken negative cable.after that maybe a bad starter or, a seized engine.